Lawmakers scramble to avert a government shutdown after two days of chaos in Congress.
The House of Representatives is gearing up for a critical vote on a Trump-supported spending bill aimed at averting a partial government shutdown. This follows a chaotic two-day standoff in Congress, with GOP factions clashing over the terms of government funding.
Key players in the debate include President-elect Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Vivek Ramaswamy, who have opposed earlier bipartisan deals, pushing instead for a narrower bill that delays further debt limit debates into 2027.
Key Details About the Spending Bill
• Funding Deadline: The bill extends the government funding deadline through March 14, 2025, avoiding an immediate shutdown.
• Debt Ceiling Suspension: It proposes suspending the debt limit until January 2027, sidestepping a contentious fight until after the 2026 midterm elections.
• Slimmed-Down Version: This new 116-page proposal replaces an earlier 1,547-page draft that included controversial policy riders.
Despite its narrower scope, the bill still faces criticism for including provisions unrelated to keeping the government running.
GOP Infighting and the Role of Trump’s Allies
The legislation reflects Trump’s influence over the party, particularly through his allies Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who helped derail the original bipartisan proposal. GOP hardliners argued that the previous deal failed to address long-term fiscal responsibility and contained excessive add-ons.
Speaker Mike Johnson worked to bridge divides within the party, leading to the hastily negotiated version now up for vote.
What’s at Stake?
If the bill fails to pass:
• The federal government could partially shut down by Friday night.
• Critical services and programs, including air traffic control and law enforcement operations, could face disruption.
The stakes are high, as the national debt has climbed past $36 trillion, while the deficit sits at $1.8 trillion.
This vote is a litmus test for Republican unity under President-elect Trump’s leadership. As lawmakers prepare to cast their ballots, the divide between pragmatists and fiscal hardliners underscores the challenges ahead for a party navigating its future amid historic levels of debt.
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